November 30, 2010

Young Yannelis Iglesias to Represent Camagüey in South Africa

Florida, Camaguey, Nov 30.- Yannelis Iglesias Hernández has been appointed delegate for the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students representing the Sabino Pupo Milián Polytechnic School, in the municipality of Florida, located 46 km northwest of Camagüey on the way to Havana.

Iglesias Hernández who lives in Ortigal, a rural neighborhood west of the municipal administrative center, said: "I’ll take to South Africa my best wishes of peace, brotherhood and solidarity; and I hope that our delegation gets the successful it deserves in the Festival. We are a very caring and anti-imperialistic people, so we will stand for this vocation there”.

The conversation with Iglesias Hernández takes place near the vegetable garden of her school. She explains to me how big has been her satisfaction for this appointment and is aware of her responsibility as delegate. She is also pleased for their families and classmates are proud of her:

“My family is happy because I’m going to participate in an event as important as the World Festival of Youth and Students. My classmates also congratulated me and everyone is proud and happy because I’ll represent them. The point is that this selection also responds to my responsibility as President of the Federation of High School Students (FEEM) in this Polytechnic School. I feel it so”.

Yannelis Iglesias Hernández, 17, is going to be an Intermediate-level Technician on agriculture and livestock, so she considers that developing her vocation will be very useful for her and the future of her country.

“It is very significant that this year’s edition of the World Festival of Youth and Students will be dedicated to Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela, for what both historical figures represent as opponents of the imperialism”.

The meeting in South Africa is very special for the young people in the world, and particularly for Iglesias Hernández who knows well the contribution of the Cuban people to free many African countries from colonialism in general and South African from the apartheid in particular.

“With the attendance of the Cuban delegation, we will contribute to deepen the bonds of friendship and solidarity among the peoples. Many Cubans gave their blood and lives to free and gain independence for Angola, helped in the liberation of Namibia, and their participation in Africa was decisive for the elimination of the apartheid in South Africa. Although the historical circumstances are different now we will again show there our friendship”.

Iglesias Hernández is gearing up to attend the Festival –and she is aware of the importance this international gathering of the youth and students has for strengthening the work of each Revolutionary which is defending the Socialism and continue the fight for the release of the Cuban 5.

“In the heart of each Cuban are engraved the names of Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González, René González, and Gerardo Hernández. The Cuban 5 will also be in South Africa with us”. (Humberto Guevara/Radio Florida).